West Seattle, Washington
02 Saturday
Maybe you can help find Bea‘s stolen mobility scooter:
Our rented battery operated Red and Black Mobility Scooter was stolen from our backyard driveway off alley between 60th and 61st and Admiral Way SW and SW Hinds last night.
It is transportable, Go-Go Pride 3-wheel with front black basket; rented from Scootaround. Also stolen were the battery and charger. but not the ignition key. Police report is 20-161656. If you know anything about this scooter, please report to police and send email to coachbea.hughes@gmail.com
No photo, but it would be similar to this.
As we start the 12th week of the coronavirus crisis in King County, here’s our roundup of today’s toplines:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary data dashboard:
*7,440 people have tested positive, up 80 from yesterday
*520 people have died, up 4 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 7,000 and 490.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: More than 4.6 million people have tested positive, 1.4 million of them in the U.S. See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.
PREVENTING PICNICS: In the ongoing “Keep It Moving” campaign in city parks, Stewart sent that photo, saying crews have just taped up the picnic tables at Don Armeni Boat Ramp:
The benches, Stewart notes, remain open.
GROCERY-STORE HOURS: Two more of the major chains that have stores in West Seattle have added back some of the hours they dropped early in the virus crisis. That’s part of today’s weekly-during-the-pandemic grocery-shopping update.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: For the third time since a 2-month mayor-mandated closure, the WSFM will be open tomorrow, 10 am-2 pm. The entrance remains at California/Alaska; line up along Alaska, and north up 42nd if necessary. This week’s vendor list is here.
SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES: Since we published this reminder today, we got word the West Seattle Small Business Relief Fund is almost up to $100,000 … but our area has hundreds of small businesses trying to hang on, so if you can contribute, anything helps.
SINCE WE DIDN’T GET SUNSET COLORS TONIGHT … here’s a vivid view from earlier this week, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor:
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
More south West Seattle redevelopment: That 99-year-old house at 9238 20th SW [map] is proposed to be replaced by an 8-unit rowhouse/townhouse project, with 8 offstreet-parking spaces. Nearby resident Colleen tipped us after an Early Design Review Community Outreach flyer arrived via mail. It points to this website, which includes the design packet by John Trieger Architects, as well as a survey.
Three notes related to the West Seattle Bridge closure:
BRIDGE BARRICADES: Not sure how long these have been up, since we haven’t looked recently and they’re all a ways down their respective ramps, but a tipster pointed out that the access points to the high bridge now all have chain-link fence topped with barbed wire. We photographed two today.
This is in addition to the movable barricades originally placed when the bridge was closed on March 23rd.
BUS SURVEY: A reader who’s been talking with Metro to advocate for a bus route from West Seattle to the University of Washington has set up a survey. It’s NOT official but its results will be shared with Metro. If you want to take it, go here.
HISTORY PRESENTATION TONIGHT: Retired civil engineer Bob Ortblad, who’s stirred some discussion for espousing an underwater “tube” solution for the bridge (and has previously suggested one cross-Sound too), has a free online presentation coming up at 6:30 tonight: an updated version of his 2017 “Who Built Seattle?” lecture, plus “the lurid history of the West Seattle Bridge,” its “current demise, and controversial future.” Register here. It’s free but you’re also welcome to make a donation to fight sarcoma, of which Ortblad is a 12-year survivor.
It’s Wildlife in the City Week! Great reason to showcase more West Seattle bird photos:
Twp from longtime contributor Mark Wangerin – above, those are Barred Owls in Fauntleroy Park; below, a Black-headed Grosbeak:
Next two are from Mark MacDonald – a Wilson’s Warbler at Lincoln Park:
And a (corrected) juvenile Bald Eagle over Alki:
From Ann Anderson, mom Crow feeding baby:
You can learn all about Crows’ nesting/mating/etc. in this recent post by a Seattle Animal Shelter naturalist.
Speaking of which, if you’re out doing yard work, be careful! Don’t accidentally bring down a nest. Kelly Howard was out working in her yard and noticed this:
Her research suggested it might be a Bushtit nest.
Thanks as always to everyone sharing photos, from birds to breaking news – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302!
Two months after the stay-home order shuttered many businesses, it continues to be a tough time even for those that have been allowed to offer pickup and delivery. Many generous West Seattleites have lent an extra hand through the Small Business Relief Fund. You can even choose a specific business to support, with 100 percent of your gift going directly to that business. The West Seattle Junction Association is coordinating the fund, but it’s not a Junction-only program – you can name any West Seattle small business(es) to target your donation. Also note, it may go further than the dollar amount alone – Verity Credit Union (WSB sponsor), for example, pledged to match up to $10,000 worth of donations made starting May 5th. With the added mobility crisis caused by the high-bridge closure, a strong local business community has never been more important. You can donate online via credit card, via the Junction Venmo (@westseattlejunction), or send a check via: West Seattle Junction Association, 4210 SW Oregon St, Suite A, Seattle 98116. As of the last update a week ago, donations had totaled $78,000, but West Seattle has hundreds of small businesses, so they can use a lot more support.
(WSB photo, last December – Madison field seen thrugh south-side fence)
Last December, we reported on the levy-funded plan for upgrading the Madison Middle School athletic field with artificial turf and lighting. A comment period related to the project has just opened; nearby residents were sent a notice (thanks for the tips on this), which is replicated on the Seattle Public Schools website:
Draft SEPA Checklist for the Madison Middle School Athletic Field Lighting Project
Public Comment Period: May 11-June 10, 2020Seattle Public Schools has prepared a draft checklist in compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) regulations for the Madison Middle School Athletic Field Lighting Project. This document provides a site-specific environmental review of the project. The district seeks written comments on the draft SEPA checklist.
The “checklist” – a 113-page document – is here.. It includes project information, dated last month, including that the work is expected to be done this summer, lasting one to two months. (It also notes that an unrelated project is in the planning stage for Madison, a two-story, eight-classroom addition.) Here’s the key summary it contains:
SPS proposes to light the athletic field at Madison Middle School to allow for both SPS use and community use. The athletic field at Madison Middle School accommodates soccer and football activities, with a surrounding track. Light fixtures would be installed on six galvanized steel poles around the perimeter of the field. The poles would be 70 feet tall.
SPS and Parks propose to schedule events at the lighted field from dusk until 10 p.m. The proposal would not change the school enrollment or any other facilities on the site, but would allow increased use of the athletic fields for scholastic and non-scholastic recreational activities schedules to end by 9:45 p.m., with lights automatically turned off at 10:00 p.m.
Later in the document, this is noted: “No public address system would be used at the athletic fields, and SPS will prohibit the use of portable speakers on the athletic fields.” The document also includes detailed analysis of factors from traffic to noise to soil, and graphics/maps. If you’re interested in commenting, here’s how:
Email: SEPAcomments@seattleschools.org
Mail:
Fred Podesta, Chief Operations Officer
Seattle Public Schools
PO Box 34165, MS 22-183
Seattle, WA 98124
Again, the deadline is June 10th. SEPA, by the way, is the State Environmental Policy Act, explained here.
We start the weekend with our ninth Saturday-morning update on West Seattle’s standalone grocery stores:
QFC ADDS HOURS: Thanks to Jason for the tip on this. QFC stores (including the 2 in West Seattle) are now open 8 am to 10 pm.
SAFEWAY ADDS HOURS: Checking the websites for our area’s three Safeway stores, we see they’ve added hours too – now open 5 am to 1 am. In addition, the Tuesday/Thursday shopping times for seniors and others at elevated risk are now expanded to 6 am-9 am.
THRIFTWAY WINE & CHEESE TASTING: Next Friday, West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) plans a virtual rosé-and-cheese tasting. The store’s home page explains how to watch (4:30 pm May 22nd) and how to buy the wine and cheese in advance if you want to.
That’s the official info we’ve found; we’ve updated the hours on our original list. So, what are you seeing at local stores?
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